Campus God (Campus)

“I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but you’re really easy to talk to,” I admit, reluctant to end our conversation. “I dated someone for almost a year, and I don’t think we ever spoke this much or got this deep the entire time.” I force out a small laugh. “How sad is that?”

“It just proves that he wasn’t the right guy for you.”

“No, he wasn’t.”

We both lapse into silence.

“I should probably let you go. You’ll be a zombie tomorrow morning.”

A mixture of sadness and longing fill me as I reluctantly agree. “Yeah, okay.” My teeth sink into my lower lip. I don’t want this to be a one-time thing, but I’m afraid to ask for more or come off as needy.

“Talk tomorrow?” he asks.

Relief washes over me. “Definitely.”

“Night, beautiful.”

“Goodnight, Chris.”

With that, I reluctantly hang up.

14

BROOKE

I flip the page of the book I’m reading and jot down a few notes before glancing at my phone. I’ve got about an hour of studying to get through before I head home and call Chris. Even the thought of settling between my sheets and talking with him is enough to bring a ridiculously giddy smile to my face.

It's crazy just how much I like this guy.

We’ve been texting all the time, not just at night. It’s become a problem. Which is exactly why my ass is here at the library. The last thing I can afford to do is slack off in my classes when I’m this close to graduating.

Plus, Easton and Sasha were holed up in her room. Once the bedframe started to hit the wall, I packed up my bag and hightailed it out of there. Sitting there and listening to them go at it made me feel like a huge perv.

“Hey.”

Knocked out of my thoughts, I glance up and find Crosby staring at me. A shiver of awareness skitters down my spine as an unwanted burst of nerves explodes in my belly.

Why?

Why is it always like this with him?

If I’d thought his apology would help smooth everything over between us, that hasn’t turned out to be the case. The sexual tension has ratcheted up to unprecedented levels when all I want is for it to go away.

“Hi.”

“You’re working late.”

I shift on my chair before making a concerted effort to rip my gaze away from his onyx-colored eyes. Sometimes, if I’m not careful, it feels like I could get sucked into them.

“Yeah, I have some reading to finish up.” I shrug. “It’s easier to concentrate here than at the apartment.”

“I take it Easton’s there?” he asks with a smirk.

My lips lift as a chuckle slips free. “Unfortunately, noise canceling headphones aren’t always enough.”

“Yeah, that’s not an image I want in my head.” He shifts the backpack on his shoulder before pointing to the chair parked across from me. “You mind if I work here, too?”

Any humor that had been filling me drains away.

“Umm—”

Tell him no. Tell him that you’re waiting for someone.

“Ah…I guess.”

If he notices the hesitation in my voice, he ignores it and drags out the chair before settling on it. As he pulls out his computer and a few books, I refocus my attention. I promised myself that I’d get through one more chapter before heading home and calling Chris. That’s my little reward for staying on task, and I’m not about to allow Crosby to derail it.

Except…my gaze repeatedly settles on him.

Thank god he doesn’t notice. Every time I find myself studying him, or even worse, staring at his lip ring, wondering what it would feel like—

I have to mentally shake myself out of those thoughts.

Shifting on the chair, I glance at my phone again and realize that thirty minutes have slipped by, and I’ve barely plowed my way through four pages. At the rate I’m going, I’ll never be able to leave and call Chris.

I glance at the reason for my distraction, only to find him already watching me. Goosebumps break out across my arms when he continues to hold my gaze and doesn’t look away.

My mouth turns cottony.

He’s not the person I want to feel this way about.

“Are you almost done?” he asks.

Is it my imagination, or does his voice sound strangely gravelly?

Maybe it would be best if I am. With enough time and distance, these feelings will eventually fade. Although, it’s been this way for a while and that has yet to happen.

“Umm, yeah. I’ve gotten through most of what I needed to.” That’s a lie. “I should probably head home.” Relief pumps through me at the idea of getting away from him and the unsettling emotions he rouses inside me.

With a nod, he shuts down his computer and closes the cover before shoving it in his backpack.

I blink. “What are you doing?”

“Leaving with you.”

A fresh burst of nerves explodes in my belly as I shake my head. “No, you just got here. Don’t leave on my account. You should stay and study.” My voice continues to rise. “I’m sure you’ll get more accomplished by yourself.” Although, my presence didn’t seem nearly as distracting to him as his was to me.